Norwegian company Hydro has expanded its presence in Central Eastern Europe (CEE) with the launch of a new aluminum recycling plant in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. The state-of-the-art facility will process up to 90,000 tons of post-consumer scrap annually, reinforcing Hydro's commitment to sustainable production and the circular economy. This strategic investment strengthens Hydro’s position in key CEE markets, including Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Located alongside one of Europe’s largest extrusion plants, Hydro’s Székesfehérvár site has already received a major industrial boost with the installation of a high-strength extrusion press following a 360 million kroner (€33.2 million) investment. The press is scheduled to deliver its first product in 2025, while production scrap from extrusion and fabrication processes will be recycled at the new facility, creating a more efficient closed-loop production system.

Initially, the recycling plant will have a capacity of 15,000 tons per year, gradually increasing to full capacity over the next few years. This expansion aligns with growing demand from customers in Europe for low-carbon and recycled aluminum, especially in the automotive sector, which is a key market for Hydro's advanced aluminum components.

Paul Warton, Executive Vice President of Hydro Extrusions, highlighted the importance of the new facility, stating, “Our customers are increasingly requesting recycled and low-carbon aluminum, along with solutions for recycling their own process scrap. This new recycling facility in Hungary enables us to meet those needs by creating closed-loop systems.”

Hydro's new recycling plant in Hungary is poised to play a crucial role in enhancing the company's sustainability efforts while also opening doors to new distribution partnerships and industrial investments in CEE. With the rising importance of green technologies and environmentally friendly production, this facility positions Hydro as a leader in the European market, offering innovative solutions to its distribution partners across Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

By expanding its recycling capabilities and focusing on low-carbon aluminum production, Hydro continues to strengthen its industrial investment in Central Eastern Europe, supporting both environmental goals and the demand for sustainable aluminum products across key markets in the region.